Manchester City midfielder Rodri is weighing up his future at the club amid renewed interest from Real Madrid, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Spain international remains under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027, with City hierarchy keen to extend the stay of their influential holding midfielder.
Club officials are believed to be eager to secure fresh terms for the player who became the first in Manchester City’s history to claim the Ballon d’Or.
At 29, Rodri has re-established himself as a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s plans after navigating a challenging spell disrupted by injuries over the past 18 months.
Now back to full fitness, he is at the heart of a revamped City squad chasing more silverware in what promises to be a defining stretch of the campaign.
Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2019, Rodri has grown into one of the most dependable midfielders in European football. His positional awareness, calm distribution and knack for decisive contributions have underpinned City’s dominance both domestically and on the continental stage.
None was more memorable than his strike in Istanbul in June 2023. In the final of the UEFA Champions League, Rodri scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan, a moment that delivered the trophy City had long craved and sealed a historic treble under Guardiola.
That goal has since been etched into the club as one of the most significant in their history.
Real Madrid’s admiration for Rodri is not new. The Spanish giants have monitored his development for years and are understood to value his tactical intelligence and big-game temperament.
With Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos having moved on in recent seasons, Madrid have continued to refresh their midfield, blending youth and experience as they plan for the future at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Despite City’s desire to keep him, uncertainty lingers over Rodri’s long-term plans. Romano has indicated that the midfielder is carefully assessing his options ahead of the summer transfer window.
Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Romano said: “Rodri will decide in the next months whether he wants to stay at Manchester City or leave.
“This is not a financial decision from what I understand, it’s about the family and personal things. He’s considering trying a new chapter. Real Madrid is a possibility.”
Rodri has built a strong connection with the City fanbase and remains a pivotal figure in Guardiola’s system, but the prospect of returning to Spain — and joining one of Europe’s most decorated clubs — could carry emotional appeal.
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City are unlikely to entertain offers lightly. Rodri’s importance to the side cannot be overstated; his presence often dictates the tempo of matches and provides the structural balance that allows City’s attacking players to flourish.
During periods when he has been absent, the team’s rhythm has occasionally faltered, underlining just how integral he is to their success.
The timing adds further intrigue. Manchester City are set to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in the coming weeks, with the tie played over two legs.
Meetings between the two clubs have frequently delivered drama in recent seasons, and this encounter now carries an added layer of narrative.
For City supporters, the thought of Rodri lining up in white at the Bernabéu would represent a significant blow.
The club have won eight Premier League titles and established themselves as a dominant force in English football, yet maintaining that standard depends on retaining their core leaders. Rodri, approaching his 30th birthday, fits firmly into that category.
